Gm Official: Theft Rate Shows Popularity Of Cars, Not Flaws

October 24, 1987|By BRIAN KAUFMAN, Staff Writer

In the face of criticism from local car owners victimized by theft and by the Palm Beach County Police Chiefs Association, a General Motors executive said on Friday that GM cars are stolen more frequently because they are more popular cars.

General Motors cars came under fire on Thursday when the chiefs` association released statistics that showed more GM cars are taken locally than any other make.

Trisde Welch of West Palm Beach, who founded the group Citizens for Auto Theft Responsibility, said flimsy steering columns on most GM cars allow thieves easy access to the ignition system.

Jerry Riley, vehicle security coordinator for GM in Detroit, said there are a number of reasons why more GM cars are stolen, but the steering column isn`t one of them.

``It just seems to be a more desirable theft target,`` Riley said. ``(I question) whether it`s the ease of the steering column being attacked.``

Since at least 50 percent of the cars on America`s roads today are built by GM, it only follows that a larger percentage of GM cars would be taken, he said.

And if it were true the steering column was flimsy, almost all American cars would be subject to theft since almost all use plastic or thin metal column covers, Riley said.

A steel sleeve that could cover the steering column and prevent theft -- like those sold by a sprinkling of dealers locally for between $40 and $140 -- cannot be applied by GM for safety reasons, Riley said. The sleeve has to collapse during an accident, he said.

In addition, GM provides a number of security options starting at $200, he said.

While GM is changing the steering column design on many new cars, Riley said, local officials should push for tougher laws to punish auto thieves.

``We`re in a social problem. Only by everyone getting involved do we have hope,`` he said.

Welch, whose car has been stolen three times, said Thursday that the vulnerability of GM cars has created problems for their owners. Even victims with spotless driving records risk the cancellation of their insurance if their car is taken more than once, she said.

Damage to the steering column alone can cost upwards of $600 and can take 3 1/2 hours to repair, she added.

Police departments also lose some credibility from the theft increases, Royal Palm Beach Police Chief Jeff Waites said Thursday. If auto thefts were eliminated in West Palm Beach, the 13 percent overall crime increase in 1986 would drop to 9 percent, Waites said.

According to Welch`s research, car thefts are more likely to take place anywhere large numbers of cars are parked.